Retractable leash assembly with a quick connect coupling assembly

ABSTRACT

A retractable leash assembly structured to facilitate quick connection of at least one animal to at least one lead interconnected at a proximal end to an activation assembly and to a quick connect coupling assembly at a distal end. The quick connect coupling assembly includes an electromotive release mechanism structured to permit removable connection of a collar, harness, or similar attachment assembly to the distal end of the lead. Upon actuation of the electromotive release mechanism, the components of the quick release coupling assembly are disposed into a release orientation such that the components are detached from one another. The quick connect coupling assembly may also include an electromotive propulsion mechanism structured to selectively impart a separation force between the components of the coupling assembly to facilitate detachment of the components from one another.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This is a continuation-in-part application of presently U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/371,028 filed on Feb. 20, 2003, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,955,138, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/867,338 filed on May 29, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No.6,629,511, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/195,965 filed on Nov. 19, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,427,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/958,111 filed on Oct. 27, 1997, now abandoned, which claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to provisional patent application having Ser. No.60/029,573 having a filing date of Oct. 28, 1996, each of which areincorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a retractable leash assemblyincluding a quick connect coupling assembly having first and secondcoupling components structured to be easily aligned into position forconnection by a handler with a single hand and to be released either viaan activation assembly positioned a spaced distance from the couplingassembly, or by a manual release mechanism. The quick connect couplingassembly of the present invention includes an electromotive releasestructure to facilitate positioning one or more locking members betweena locked orientation and an unlocked orientation. At least oneembodiment of the present invention also includes an electromotivepropulsion mechanism structured to facilitate attachment and detachmentof the first and second coupling components with one another.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is widely known that there are millions of dog owners in this countryas well as other countries throughout the world. Dogs comprise one ofthe most popular types of animals for household pets. Of course, dogsare extremely popular animals for other than simple companionship. Otheruses of dogs include working dogs and show dogs. In turn, working dogsmay be classified as dogs utilized for police enforcement purposes,military activities, dogs trained for hunting and also dogs specificallytrained to aid those individuals who are visually impaired.

Regardless of the above classifications, the care and maintenance ofdogs require the use of numerous auxiliary or supplementary items. Amongthe most popular is the dog leash or tethering assembly wherein dogs areretained and/or restricted for purposes of control when not contained byfences in a yard or like area. Moreover, similar type leash assembliesare also useful on a variety of different animals including pets andfarm animals, such as horses.

It is also well recognized that leash structures, collars, harnesses,etc. are available in numerous and varying designs intended to controlan animal for different purposes. Prior art structures exist whichcomprise leash and collar combinations specifically structured such thatthe length of a lead of the leash assembly is selectively variable sothat the dog or animal being tethered may enjoy a greater range ofmovement and freedom when the surrounding area allows. Alternately, thetethered animal may be restrained, by shortening the length of theextendable lead in areas which do not allow the free roaming of the dog.Other prior art leash or tethering assemblies are specifically designedto allow control and retention of the dog or other animal whilesignificantly reducing or eliminating the tangling of the dog in theretaining harness and/or about an anchoring structure to which theanimal is tethered.

An area which is not currently addressed by leash and retaining harnessassemblies is the ability to quickly and easily connect an animal to theleash assembly and to permit release of the animal from a spaceddistance from the animal, such as a remote location. In the majority ofconventional or known leash assemblies, it is necessary for a handler tomanipulate a coupling structure utilizing both hands, wherein thecoupling structure serves to connect the distal end of the lead to thecollar or retaining harness mounted on the animal. This generallyinvolves direct handling or manipulation of any one of a large varietyof such coupling structures. Attachment of the animal can be extremelydifficult, particularly when the dog or animal being tethered is overlyfrisky or otherwise in an excited state. Also, in accomplishing eitherattachment or detachment of the lead from the collar or like harnessparticular problems are encountered by the elderly or by those who arevisually or otherwise physically challenged.

In addition to the above, the handling of larger animals, such as horsesand/or working dogs of the type trained to conduct police enforcementand/or military activities, requires that the animal be kept undercontrol by the handler. However, in cases of emergency, it is equallyimportant that the animal be released or detached from his controllinglead as quickly as possible as it could be dangerous for the animal tobegin running while dragging the lead or any part of the leash assembly.Conversely, if the animal is loose, it may be necessary to quicklyre-harness the animal in order to restrain its movement in a hazardoussituation.

A further problem is encountered in the handling, and in particular, thetransportation, of horses. Specifically, when a horse is being confinedin a trailer they often become anxious and/or excited. Combined with thetight space limitations of most trailers, the excited condition of theanimal presents a dangerous situation for the handler who must enter thetrailer to either attach or release the animal from the trailer. Thus,it would be advantageous and potentially life saving for both the animaland the handler to provide a means to remotely release a horse that isattached to a trailer. At a minimum, it would be advantageous to providea remote, emergency release activation mechanism on an exterior portionof the trailer, such that the animal could be released without requiringthe handler to enter the trailer, which may cause the animal to becomeeven more anxious or excited.

Another area which the prior or related art does not address is relatedto facilitating adjustment of the length of the lead by the handlerutilizing a retractable leash assembly. In particular, although theprior art devices allow the length of the lead, and thus, the distancebetween the animal and the handler, or a fixed tethering location, to beadjusted, they do not provide a means to align the lead for smooth andeasy retraction or release of the lead regardless of the relativeposition of the animal to the handler or the tethering location. Morespecifically, when the lead is extended a long distance, the angleformed between the lead to the handler is quite different than the angleformed when the animal is in close proximity. Thus, the handler isforced to constantly adjust the position of the device relative to theanimal to prevent binding of the lead with the housing of the deviceduring retraction or release of the lead to or from the handle,respectively. Additionally, movement of the animal to the left or rightof the handler or tethering location may also increase the potential forbinding of the lead upon retraction or release of the lead into or fromthe housing of the assembly. Nor does the prior leash and/or tetheringassembly art provide a means to lock the lead in position relative tothe assembly upon detection of a specific release velocity or suddenacceleration of the lead from the housing, as may occur when an animalbecomes excited or angry and bolts from the handler or the tetheringlocation.

Accordingly, there is a recognized need in this area for a leash ortethering assembly including a quick connect coupling assembly havingcoupling components structured to easily align into position forconnection by a handler with a single hand. It would also be preferablefor such an assembly to allow connection and release from an animal bythe handler while in an upright position, thereby eliminating the needfor the handler to bend over, such as may be inconvenient for elderly orinfirm handlers. Further, such a preferred leash or tethering assemblyshould be structured to permit quick and effective detachment or releaseof the animal via an activation assembly located a spaced distance fromthe animal and the coupling component serving to connect the animalharness to the lead. Preferably, such an activation assembly may utilizemechanical, electrical, and/or magnetic forces to facilitate thealignment and interconnection of the coupling components. Further, itwould be beneficial for the activation assembly to utilize mechanical,electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fiber optic, computer generated,and/or remote voice activated signals to effect the release of thecoupling components of the leash assembly from one another.

It would further be beneficial to provide a leash assembly includingwherein the activation assembly includes a lead aligning mechanismstructured to maintain the lead in position relative to the housing ofthe activation assembly as the lead is retracted and/or released into orfrom the housing, respectively, to minimize binding of the lead with thehousing. Yet another desirable feature for such a leash assembly is arelease control mechanism to prevent unwanted release of a lead uponsudden acceleration of the animal away from the handler or tetheringlocation, as may occur when an animal becomes excited or angry.

Another disadvantage of the retractable leash assemblies of the typecommercially available is that they are typically spring biased to theextent that a release mechanism allows a free extension of the lead asthe tethered animal travels a greater distance from the handler. Assuch, in these known devices, the lead cannot normally be retracted orrewound without the handler first providing slack in the lead byfollowing or chasing the animal and thereby shortening the distancebetween the handler and the animal prior to rewinding the lead forstorage. Therefore, it would also be desirable to provide a leash ortethering assembly having a drive mechanism, to facilitate the retrievalof an animal attached to the leash assembly to the proximity of thehandler or tethering location without requiring the handler to traversethe distance between themselves and the animal.

Further, while the foregoing discussion is directed to the leash andtethering assembly art, it is envisioned that such a quick connectcoupling assembly as described herein will have numerous other practicalapplications including, but not limited to, tie downs for tools andequipment, securing luggage and/or sporting equipment, temporary barrierdevices, body harnesses, and key chains, as well as in the area ofrobotics, including integration into automated factory assembly lineoperations, and remotely controlled devices utilized by military, lawenforcement, emergency, and rescue personnel, just to name a few.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a leash assembly designed to allowcontrol of a dog or other animal by a handler and which is structured toaccomplish a quick detachment of the animal from a remote positionwithout requiring the direct handling or manipulation of the quickconnect coupling assembly serving to interconnect the collar, harness,or similar attachment assembly to the distal end of the lead. Thepresent invention is also designed and structured to provide a quick andefficient attachment of a lead to an attachment assembly utilizing onlya single hand of the user or handler. More specifically, the presentinvention comprises a flexible material lead being of any appropriate orpreferred length and terminating at a distal end and an oppositelydisposed proximal end. A preferably rotating coupling component isconnected, at least in part, to the distal end of the lead and isspecifically structured to accomplish a quick and easy attachment of thelead to the attachment assembly, as well as a quick release ordetachment of the lead from an attachment assembly mounted directly onthe animal being tethered.

In order to accomplish such quick release of the coupling assembly, thepresent invention further comprises a release structure preferably inthe form of a release or positioning cable formed of metallic or otherapplicable material having sufficient structural integrity to be movableaxially along its own length and to exert an axially directed force on acoupling assembly to be described in greater detail hereinafter. Theterm “structural integrity” refers to the structural features of therelease cable being of a material with sufficient rigidity, while stillbeing flexible, to exert the aforementioned axially directed force onthe coupling assembly or otherwise structured to be axially moveablealong the length of the lead so as to exert the aforementioned force onthe coupling assembly and thereby orient the coupling assembly in adisconnect position, as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.

The release structure or cable is mounted on and preferably within theinterior of the lead and extends along the length thereof between theaforementioned distal end and proximal end. One end of the release cableis disposed adjacent the distal end of the lead and is connecteddirectly to the preferably rotating coupling component. Selective axialmovement of the release cable causes a disconnection of the couplingcomponents defining the subject coupling assembly. The aforementionedquick release is thereby accomplished from a location remote from theanimal without the necessity of directly handling or manipulating thecoupling assembly. Alternate embodiments of the present inventioninclude a coupling assembly comprising magnetically attractivecomponents, and a release structure comprising an electromagnet whosepolarity may be reversed to alternately facilitate automatic attachmentand detachment of the components.

To accomplish the desired quick release, the present invention alsoincludes an activation assembly mounted adjacent the proximal end of thelead and includes an activation member connected directly to thecorrespondingly positioned end of the release cable. Depending upon thevarious embodiments, to be described in greater detail hereinafter, theactivation member may be disposed and configured for direct manipulationby a thumb or finger of a single hand of a person gripping a handleportion of the activation assembly which is connected to the proximalend of the lead. By depressing or otherwise manipulating the activationmember, the release cable is forced to move axially along its lengthrelative to the lead on which it is mounted. This movement will cause anaxially directed force to be exerted directly on at least one of thecoupling components of the coupling assembly and a disconnection of thecoupling assembly. A quick release and/or detachment of the attachmentassembly will thereby be effected. Additional embodiments of the presentinvention include an electronically operated activation assembly, whichmay or may not be radio activated.

Another feature of one preferred embodiment of the leash assembly of thepresent invention further includes an activation assembly comprising adrive motor to be actuated by a user. The drive motor is configured,such as by attachment to a storage or take-up spool, to effectuatestorage of the lead itself and/or activation of the quick releasestructure.

An additional embodiment of the present invention includes the couplingassembly structured to provide a quick attachment and detachment of thedistal, free end of the lead to the attachment assembly mounted on theanimal. In addition, a similarly structured coupling assembly may beused to connect opposite free ends of the attachment assembly to oneanother around the animal in an intended fashion. In the aforementionedcoupling assembly, first and second components are structured so as tobe attached to one another in a manner which only requires a single handof the handler or user of the leash assembly of the present invention.Quick and easy release of the two components of the coupling assemblyfrom one another is accomplished by manipulation of the activationassembly and movement of the release structure mounted within the lead,as set forth above. More specifically, each of the components of thepresent invention may be positioned into a predetermined alignedengagement with one another such that a pushing force exerted on thefirst and second components of the coupling assembly will cause a quickand efficient attachment of the two components to one another. Suchquick attachment can be accomplished without manipulation of a springbiased plunger normally associated with generally known, swivel typecoupling assemblies. Further, the coupling assembly may include analignment assembly structured and disposed to facilitate theaforementioned predetermined aligned engagement of the components withone another. The alignment assembly preferably comprises magneticsurfaces on each component of the coupling assembly cooperativelydisposed in engageable relation with one another when the components arealigned.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a leash assemblywhich is strong and secure, yet which also provides for the quick andeasy release of the animal restrained thereby.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a leash assemblywhich is substantially easy to operate and does not require direct usermanipulation of a coupling assembly when connecting the attachmentassembly on the animal to a lead associated with the leash assembly.

It is also an important object of the present invention to provide aleash assembly structured to facilitate rapid and efficient connectionof an attachment assembly, mounted on the animal, to a lead in a mannerwhich requires minimal manipulation and the use of only one hand of theanimal handler.

Yet another object to the present invention is to provide a leashassembly including a lead which may be retracted or extended in acontrolled manner whether or not the free end of the lead is secured tothe attachment assembly. It is also an important object to the presentinvention to provide the leash assembly, including the various operativecomponents associated therewith, which is formed from a light weight yetdurable material so as to be operable over an extended period and whichis structurally designed to be produced or manufactured relativelyinexpensively so as to make the present invention available to a widerange of potential customers.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a quick connectcoupling assembly which may be utilized in a variety of other connectionapplications. The need for a coupling assembly permitting quick releaseand/or attachment exists in many applications, for example, tie downsfor equipment, tools, or machinery, securing luggage and/or sportingequipment, temporary barrier devices, body harnesses, and key chains.Thus, the present invention provides such a quick connect couplingassembly for the aforementioned applications, however, the presentinvention may be utilized in numerous other connection applications asmay easily be envisioned.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more clear when the drawings as well as thedetailed description are taken into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in partial cutaway showing the variousstructural features of one preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a lead of the leash assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A is a sectional view of the lead of FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing yet another preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing one alternate embodiment of a leadof the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of aretractable leash assembly of the present invention comprising aplurality of leads.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another, preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view in partial cutaway and section showingstructural details of one preferred embodiment of a quick connectcoupling assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view in partially exploded form of anotherpreferred embodiment of the quick connect coupling assembly associatedwith the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view in partial section of the embodiment of FIG. 7 ina connected position.

FIG. 9 is a side view of yet another preferred embodiment of anactivation assembly associated with the leash assembly of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is an external, perspective view of yet another embodiment of anactivation assembly associated with the leash assembly of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing interior structural details of theembodiment of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side view of another embodiment of an activation assemblyof the present invention illustrating a lead aligning mechanism.

FIG. 13 is an end view of the activation assembly of FIG. 12 along lines13—13 thereof.

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-section view of the activation assembly ofFIG. 12 along lines 14—14 thereof.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the activation assembly of FIG. 12illustrating another embodiment of a lead aligning mechanism.

FIG. 16 is an end view of the activation assembly of FIG. 15 along lines16—16 thereof.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the activation assembly of FIG. 12illustrating another embodiment of a lead aligning mechanism.

FIG. 18 is an end view of the activation assembly of FIG. 17 along lines18—18 thereof.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the activation assembly of FIG. 12illustrating another embodiment of a lead aligning mechanism.

FIG. 20 is an end view of the activation assembly of FIG. 19 along lines20—20 thereof.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view in partially exploded form of anotherpreferred embodiment of the quick connect coupling assembly associatedwith the present invention illustrating a voice activated controlmodule.

FIG. 22 is a side view of another embodiment of an activation assemblyof the present invention illustrating a lead aligning mechanism.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an activationassembly of the present invention illustrating a lead aligningmechanism.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an activationassembly of the present invention illustrating a composite lead aligningmechanism.

FIG. 25A is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of one preferredembodiment of the quick connect coupling assembly of the presentinvention comprising an electromotive release mechanism and illustratinga pair of locking members in an outwardly extending locking orientation.

FIG. 25B is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the embodimentof FIG. 25A illustrating the pair of locking members in a retractedorientation.

FIG. 26A is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of anotherpreferred embodiment of the quick connect coupling assembly of thepresent invention incorporating an electromotive release mechanism,specifically, a rotary solenoid, and illustrating a pair of lockingmembers in a retracted orientation.

FIG. 26B is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the embodimentof FIG. 26A illustrating the pair of locking members in an outwardlyextending locking orientation.

FIG. 26C is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the first componentof the embodiment of FIG. 26B, along lines 26C—26C thereof.

FIG. 27A is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of the quick connect coupling assembly of the presentinvention comprising a manual release mechanism and illustrating a pairof locking members in an outwardly extending locking orientation.

FIG. 27B is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the preferredembodiment of FIG. 27A illustrating the pair of locking members in aretracted orientation.

FIG. 28A is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of one preferredembodiment of the quick connect coupling assembly of the presentinvention comprising an electromotive release mechanism and anelectromotive propulsion mechanism illustrating a pair of propulsionmembers disposed in a secured configuration.

FIG. 28B is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the embodimentof FIG. 28A illustrating the pair of propulsion members in a separatedconfiguration.

FIG. 29 is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of one otherembodiment of a quick connect coupling assembly having an electromotiverelease mechanism comprising a propulsion member.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in the accompanying Figures, the present invention is directedtowards a retractable leash assembly wherein a preferred embodiment isdisclosed in FIG. 1 and includes a lead as in 10 being of any applicableor desired length and further being formed of a flexible material so asto facilitate freedom of movement of both the animal and the handler oruser of the subject assembly, and to a quick connect coupling assemblywhich includes a coupling assembly generally shown as 16, a releasestructure generally shown as 24, and an activation assembly generallyshown as 38, as disclosed herein.

The lead 10 terminates at a distal end 12 and a proximal end 14, whichare oppositely disposed relative to one another. Moreover, a couplingassembly 16 is secured, at least in part, adjacent the distal end 12 ofthe lead 10 and includes a first component as in 18 and a secondcomponent as in 22. The first component 18 may be secured to the distalend 12 of the lead 10 and is connected to a release structure which maybe defined in one embodiment by a release or positioning cable 24. Withfurther reference to the coupling assembly 16, the second component 22may be mounted on or attached to a collar, harness, or similarattachment assembly as at 26 designed to be mounted directly on theanimal's body in the conventional fashion. Alternatively, the secondcomponent 22 may be secured to a distal end of a second lead structureas in a tie down assembly, or it may be secured to a fixed structure.Opposite ends of the attachment assembly 26 may define connectableportions and if desired may be removably attached using a similar secondcoupling assembly generally indicated as 28 similar in operation to thecoupling assembly 16 associated with the lead 10. Moreover, theattachment assembly 26 itself may be integrated as part of the presentinvention wherein the coupling assembly 28 incorporates specificstructural improvements set forth in greater detail hereinafter whichprovides a quick and efficient attachment or coupling of opposite endsof the attachment assembly 26. The second coupling assembly 28 of thepresent invention also includes a first component 29 and a secondcomponent 30 designed to be removably and quickly attached and detachedrelative to one another so as to secure the attachment assembly 26 aboutthe neck of the dog or other animal being tethered. Loop type connectingelements as at 32 may serve to movably mount or attach the components29, 30 of the second coupling assembly 28 to the opposite ends of theattachment assembly 26.

A loop type connector 32 may also serve to movably mount the secondcomponent 22 of the coupling assembly 16 to the attachment assembly 26such that the entire coupling assembly 16 is allowed to move freelyalong the length of the attachment assembly 26 in order to provide theanimal more freedom when connected to the lead 10 and also to reduce thepossibility of tangling of the attachment assembly 26 with the remainderof the lead 10.

With reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the release structurewhich comprises release cable 24 in a preferred embodiment, ispreferably mounted within an interior 25 of an outer flexible material,such as lead 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The lead 10 may thereforeassume a generally tubular configuration so as to enclose the releasecable 24 in a hollow interior 25 thereof. Alternatively, as illustratedin FIG. 2A, a separate hollow sheath structure 27 may be provided andpreferably secured to or embedded or concealed within the lead 10′. Thesheath structure includes a hollow interior 25′ and preferably extendsalong the entire length of the lead 10′ so as to enclose the releasecable 24 therein along substantially its entire length. Such aconfiguration is particularly beneficial in woven material leadstructures, or if the lead structure is to be wound, because movement ofthe release cable 24 while in an at least partially wound position isrequired. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, the sheath structure27 is configured to facilitate the sliding movement of the release cable24 relative to the lead 10′.

As set forth above, the coupling assemblies 16 and/or 28 may besimilarly structured and, as also set forth above, additional, morepreferred embodiments of the coupling assemblies similar to 16 and 28are shown in detail in FIGS. 6–8. With reference to FIG. 5, the couplingassembly 16′ may incorporate structural features similar to those shownin FIGS. 6–8, in which the coupling assembly is referenced by either 16′or 16″. With further reference to FIG. 4, coupling 16 may include aspring biased plunger 51, which when axially disposed inwardly towardsan interior portion 53 of the second component 22 will serve to releasethe one or, preferably, two outwardly extending, oppositely disposedlocking members 62 from their normally biased outwardly extendinglocking orientation. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,the locking members 62 will comprise an elongated finger configurationas illustrated in FIGS. 6–8. However, it is anticipated that the presentinvention may encompass other configurations of locking members 62,including but not limited too, ball bearings, wedge shaped, cone shaped,etc. Release of the locking members 62 from their normally biasedoutwardly extending locking orientation will allow attachment of thefirst coupling component 18 to the second coupling component 22.

For purposes of clarity the structural details of the preferredembodiments of FIG. 6–8, are explained with reference to couplingassemblies 16′ and 16″ as indicated in the aforementioned Figures. It isagain to be emphasized that the structural components of the couplingassemblies 16′ and 16″ may be similar. One common feature of thedifferent embodiments of FIG. 6–8 is the ability to accomplish a quickand efficient attachment and release of the components of the respectivecoupling assemblies 16′ and 16″, such as while utilizing only a singlehand of the user. Further, attachment can be accomplished without thephysical depression or other manipulation of the spring biased plunger51 or any similar component.

More specifically, a feature of the embodiment of the coupling assembly16′ of FIG. 6 as well as the additional preferred embodiment 16″ ofFIGS. 7 and 8 is the inclusion of one or, preferably, two lockingmembers 62 having an outer surface specifically configured to facilitatethe quick and efficient attachment or release of the first component 18′to or from the second component 22′. In particular, each of the lockingmembers 62 includes a leading surface portion 65 and a trailing surfaceportion 67. The locking members 62, as shown in FIG. 6, are disposed intheir normally biased outwardly extending locking orientation betweenthe first component 18′ and the second component 22′. Furthermore, thetrailing surface portions 67 of each of the locking members 62 areconfigured into a transverse, linear shape so as define a stop memberwhich will prevent unwanted detachment of the first and secondcomponents 18′ and 22′ from one another such as when they are pulledaway from one another by the strain of the animal or other forces. Assuch, it is necessary to affirmatively dispose the locking members 62inwardly into the interior of the first component 18′ in order to definea retracted orientation and allow passage of the leading end 64 ofcomponent 18′ through the receiving aperture as at 69 formed in thesecond component 22′.

Looking in greater detail, the coupling assembly 16′ comprises a firstcomponent 18′ and a second component 22′ which, as shown, arerespectively configured to define a male coupling component and a femalecoupling component. At least one, preferably the male couplingcomponent, is preferably structured to rotate or swivel, therebyallowing the entire coupling assembly 16′ to be rotatable and swivelableto prevent tangling and the like. As explained above, the firstcomponent 18′ may be connected to the distal or free end of the lead 10and, more specifically, in direct operative attachment to the releasestructure, which in one preferred embodiment comprises an interior,axially moveable release cable 24. The release cable 24 may be connecteddirectly to a plunger 60 so as to exert an axially directed forcethereon which in turn permits the easy release of the first component18′ from the second component 22′ by virtue of the fact that an axiallydirected pulling force will cause the plunger 60 to move outwardlyagainst a force exerted thereon by a biasing spring (not shown). Thisoutward movement of the plunger 60 will in turn cause the lockingmembers 62 to be released from their normally biased outwardly extendinglocking orientation and pulled into a retracted orientation, therebyallowing the first component 18′ to be easily released from the secondcomponent 22′.

In an alternate embodiment of the coupling assembly 16″, as illustratedin FIGS. 7 and 8, the locking members 62′ and the second component 22′may comprise oppositely charged magnetic materials, such that theattractive and/or repulsive magnetic forces are sufficient to maintainthe locking members 62′ in their normally biased outwardly extendinglocking orientation. In this embodiment, the plunger 60 is connected toeach locking member 62′, wherein an outward axial force is required toreposition the locking members 62′ from their normally biased outwardlyextending locking orientation to the retracted, orientation, so as toallow the first component 18′ to be easily released from the secondcomponent 22′.

In yet another embodiment of the coupling assembly 16″, the lockingmembers 62′ may in whole or in part comprise a magnetically chargedmaterial. Additionally, the release structure comprises an electromagnetwhich replaces the release cable 24 and plunger 60 and generates astronger, similarly polarized magnetic field relative to the lockingmembers 62′ such that the repulsive magnetic forces are sufficient toforce the locking members 62′ into their normally biased outwardlyextending locking orientation. To release the first component 18′ fromthe second component 22′ in this embodiment of the present invention, anelectrical current may be applied to the electromagnet which reversesits polarity, thus causing the locking members 62′ to be pulled into aretracted orientation by magnetic attraction which permits the firstcomponent 18′ to be automatically detached from the second component22′. In such an embodiment, an independent biasing force on the lockingmembers 62 may not be necessary.

A further embodiment of the present invention incorporates anelectromotive release mechanism 160 comprising an actuation member 162and being disposed in an operative association with at least one, butpreferably a plurality of locking members 62′, as shown in FIGS. 25through 28. In particular, the operative association is at leastpartially defined by the electromotive release mechanism 160 beingstructured to normally dispose the locking members 62′ into an outwardlyextending locking orientation. The operative association is furtherdefined by the electromotive release mechanism 160 being furtherstructured to selectively dispose the locking members 62′ into theretracted orientation, upon actuation of the electromotive releasemechanism 160, such that a first component 18′ and a correspondingsecond component 22′ of the coupling assembly 16′ are detached from oneanother.

More specifically, in at least one preferred embodiment, the actuationmember 162 of the electromotive release mechanism 160 comprises a distalportion 163 structured to normally dispose the locking members 62′ inthe outwardly extending locking orientation, such as, for example, viadisplacement of the locking members 62′, as illustrated in FIGS. 25A,26B, and 28A. Additionally, the distal portion 163 of the actuationmember 162 is structured to selectively dispose the locking members 62′into a retracted orientation, thereby permitting the first component 18′and the second component 22′ of the coupling assembly 16′ to be detachedfrom one another. The distal portion 163 of the actuation member 162 ismovably disposable between an extended displacement configuration suchthat the locking members 62′ are disposed in the outwardly extendinglocking orientation, as illustrated in FIGS. 25A and 28A, and aretracted non-displacement configuration such that the locking members62′ are disposed in the retracted orientation, as illustrated in FIGS.25B and 28B. In at least one alternate embodiment, the distal portion163 may comprise a magnetically charged material, such as, by way ofexample only, an electromagnetic, so as to further facilitatepositioning the locking members 62′ between the outwardly extendinglocking orientation and the retracted orientation.

In one further embodiment, the distal portion 163 is movably disposablebetween a non-displacement configuration such that the locking members62′ are disposed in the retracted orientation, as illustrated in FIG.26A and a displacement configuration such that the locking members 62′are disposed in the outwardly extending locking orientation, asillustrated in FIG. 26B. In this embodiment, the actuation member 162 isstructured to rotate about an actuation axis 162′, as illustrated inFIG. 26C, wherein the required rotation may be accomplished by way of anelectromotive release mechanism 160 comprising a rotary solenoid.

In yet one other embodiment, the electromotive release mechanism 160 maycomprise at least one interconnecting member 164 disposed between theactuation member 162 and each locking member 62′. As shown in FIGS. 27Aand 27B, the electromotive release mechanism 160 may comprise aplurality of interconnecting members 164, such as a wire or a cable,wherein the interconnecting members 164 are structured to dispose thelocking members 62′ between the outwardly extending locking orientationand the retracted orientation upon repositioning of the actuation member162, as illustrated. In at least one embodiment, the interconnectingmembers 164 comprise a shape memory alloy component structured todispose the locking members 62′ from the outwardly extending lockingorientation to the retracted orientation upon actuation of theelectromotive release mechanism 160. Specifically, actuation of theelectromotive release mechanism 160 results in an electrical currentbeing at least temporarily applied to the shape memory alloy component,thereby altering its physical configuration and causing the lockingmembers 62′ to be reoriented.

The electromotive release mechanism 160 may comprise any one of a numberof electrically actuated devices including, by way of example only andin no manner limited to, solenoids, transformers, electromagnets,capacitors, electric motors, shape memory alloy components, magneticpropulsion devices, etc. Looking just at solenoids, the electromotiverelease mechanism 160 may comprise a plunger type solenoid, a hammertype solenoid, a swing solenoid, a rotary solenoid, a tubular typesolenoid, etc., and these are only a few of the possible types ofsolenoids illustrative of those which may be comprised by theelectromotive release mechanism 160 of the present invention. As such,it is understood that any electromotive device comprising an actuationmember 162 which may effect the disposition of the locking members 62′between the outwardly extending locking orientation and the retractedorientation upon application of an electrical current, may be utilizedand are encompassed in the scope of the present invention.

To facilitate actuation of the electromotive release mechanism 160, anactuation interface 166 is provided and is structured to facilitateselective actuation of the electromotive release mechanism 160, viaselective application of an electrical current to the electromotiverelease mechanism 160, as desired by the user. The actuation interface166 may comprise a direct interconnection to the activation assembly 80or 82 such as, for example, an electrical wire extending along the lead10 between the rechargeable power supply 81′ of the activation assembly80 or 82 and the electromotive release mechanism 160. As such, aselective activation member 44′, as described herein, may be utilized toselectively actuate the electromotive release mechanism 160 viaselective application of an electrical current from the rechargeablepower supply 81′.

In at least one embodiment, the actuation interface 166 is disposed in acommunicative relationship with a voice activated control module 110,also as described herein, thereby allowing the electromotive releasemechanism 160 to be remotely actuated. One further embodiment of thepresent invention comprises a manual release mechanism 167interconnected to the actuation interface 166. As illustrated in FIGS.27A and 27B, the manual release mechanism 167 is structured to permitmanual actuation of the electromotive release mechanism 160, therebyallowing the first component 18′ and the second component 22′ to bequickly and easily detached from one another.

Also as indicated, a further feature of the present invention is itsability to achieve easy and effective engagement or attachment betweenthe first component 18′ and the second component 22′. This attachment ispreferably facilitated by virtue of the fact that the leading surfaceportion 65 of each of the locking members 62 has a substantiallyconvergent configuration which extends outwardly in either a curvilinearor sloped shape. Accordingly, engagement of the leading surface portion65 with the periphery of the receiving aperture 69 will cause a slidingengagement of the respective locking members 62 relative to theperiphery of the receiving aperture 69 and thereby cause a forced,inward retraction of the locking members 62 to counter their normallybiased outwardly extending locking orientation. The leading end 64 ofthe first component 18′ will thereby be allowed to pass through thereceiving aperture 69 into the engaged and attached position as shown inFIGS. 6 and 8 in a substantially facilitated manner.

In order to accomplish such quick and easy attachment of the components18′ and 22′ together into the attached position of FIGS. 6 and 8, thefirst and second components 18′ and 22′ should be disposed inpredetermined aligned engagement with one another. Such predeterminedaligned engagement may be defined by an axial alignment of the firstcomponent 18′ with the second component 22′ as best shown in FIG. 7.Once the first and second components 18′ and 22′ are in theaforementioned axial alignment, forced positioning of these twocomponents 18′ and 22′ towards one another as indicated by directionalarrows 70 and 71 will cause sliding contact of the leading surfaceportion 65 with the periphery of the receiving aperture 69 resulting inthe predetermined aligned engagement of the first and second components18′ and 22′ . The cooperatively structured configuration of the firstand second components 18′ and 22′ of the preferred embodiment of thecoupling assembly 16′ allows the predetermined aligned engagement andattachment of the first and second components 18′ and 22′ by the userwith a single hand.

As set forth above in order to accomplish a quick and easy attachment ofthe components 18′ and 22′ to one another in the locked position ofFIGS. 6 and 8, the first and second components 18′ and 22′ are disposedin axial alignment with one another. To further assist the axialalignment of the first and second components 18′ and 22′, each of theembodiments of FIGS. 6 through 8 also preferably include an attractionassembly 75 which facilitates the axial alignment and automaticattachment of the components 18′ and 22′ to one another. Such anattraction assembly 75 is mounted on the coupling assembly 16′ in theform of correspondingly positioned, attractive, mating or engagingsurfaces. In the embodiment of illustrated FIG. 6, the attractionassembly 75 includes at least the exposed annular surface 72 of thefirst component 18′ being formed of a magnetic material and configuredto attract a similar annular surface 74 of the second component 22′,also formed of a magnetic material. In the locking position of FIG. 6,these magnetically attractive surfaces 72 and 74 will normally bebrought into confronting engagement with one another. The provision ofthe magnetically attractive surfaces 72 and 74 and their relativedisposition to one another will facilitate the axial alignment of thecomponents 18′ and 22′ as well as the inwardly directed connecting forceindicated by directional arrows 70 and 71 such that the first and secondcomponents 18′ and 22′ are automatically attached. In at least oneembodiment, the attraction assembly 75 utilizes magnetic propulsion toachieve automatic attachment of the first and second components 18′ and22′ by including an array of magnetic surfaces 72 or 74 havingalternating polarities, or an array of magnetic surfaces 72 or 74 havingsimilar polarities but exhibiting progressively stronger or weakermagnetic forces.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the magnetically attractive surfaces 72 and74 are substantially externally located when the first and secondcomponents 18′ and 22′ are separated from one another. Conversely theadditional preferred embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 includes themagnetically attractive surfaces 78 and 79 disposed substantiallyinteriorly but in the respective position of the first component 18′with the second component 22′ as shown in FIG. 8.

In addition, the attraction assembly 75 of the embodiment of FIG. 8 mayalso include interior side surfaces as at 82′ which are designed to atleast partially engage and cause the direct attraction of the lockingmembers 62′. Accordingly, in the embodiment of FIG. 8 the lockingmembers 62′ are at least partially formed of a magnetically attractivematerial so as to facilitate the aforementioned predetermined alignedengagement of the first and second components 18′ and 22′ with oneanother. Further, the magnetically attractive surfaces may be utilizedto cause the first and second components 18′ and 22′ to automaticallyengage and attach to one another when disposed in the predeterminedaligned relationship.

In addition to the ability to achieve easy and effective engagement orattachment of the components of the coupling assembly 16′, at least oneembodiment of present invention comprises an electromotive propulsionmechanism 170, as illustrated in FIGS. 28A and 28B, structured to atleast temporarily impart a separation force between the first component18′ and the second component 22′. More in particular, the electromotivepropulsion mechanism 170 of the present invention comprises at least onepropulsion member 172. However, in one preferred embodiment, theelectromotive propulsion mechanism 170 comprises a plurality ofpropulsion members 172 disposed in a spaced apart relation to oneanother, as illustrated in FIGS. 28A and 28B. The propulsion members 172preferably comprise an elongated configuration, as illustrated, and aredisposed adjacent a propulsion interface 174 formed between abuttingportions of the first component 18′ and the second component 22′ of thecoupling assembly 16′, as best shown in FIG. 28A.

The electromotive propulsion mechanism 170 of the present invention isspecifically structured to dispose the propulsion members 172 between asecured configuration and a separated configuration. Specifically, thesecured configuration is at least partially defined by the propulsionmembers 172 being disposed in an inwardly retracted position by theelectromotive propulsion mechanism 170, as illustrated in FIG. 28A.Conversely, the separated configuration is at least partially defined bythe propulsion members 172 being disposed in an outwardly extendedposition by the electromotive propulsion mechanism 170, as illustratedin FIG. 28B. The disposition of the propulsion members 172 from thesecured configuration to the separated configuration results in aseparation force between the first component 18′ and the secondcomponent 22′ of the coupling assembly 16′ in a direction substantiallynormal to the propulsion interface 174, as indicated by directionalarrows 176 in FIG. 28B. The separation force is sufficient to cause thefirst component 18′ and the second component 22′ to detach from oneanother when each of the plurality of locking members 62′ is disposed inthe retracted orientation.

Similar to the electromotive release mechanism 160 previously described,the electromotive propulsion mechanism 170 of the present invention maycomprise any one of a number of electrically actuated devices including,by way of example only and in no manner limited to, solenoids,transformers, electromagnets, capacitors, electric motors, shape memoryalloy components, magnetic propulsion devices, etc. As before, it isunderstood that any electromotive device which may effect thedisposition of the propulsion members 172 between the securedconfiguration and the separated configuration upon application of anelectrical current may be utilized and are encompassed in the scope ofthe present invention.

To assure that locking members 62′ are disposed in the retractedorientation prior to disposition of the propulsion members 172 into theseparated configuration, so as to prevent jamming of the locking members62′ in the interior of the second component 22′, at least one embodimentof the present invention comprises a time sequence module. The timesequence module is structured such that actuation of the electromotiverelease mechanism 160 effecting retraction of the locking members 62′must occur a preselected period of time before the electromotivepropulsion mechanism 170 is permitted to operate to dispose thepropulsion members 172 into the separated configuration. The preselectedperiod of time is determined by the amount of time required for thelocking members 62′ to fully retract after actuation of theelectromotive release mechanism 160.

In at least one embodiment, the electromotive propulsion mechanism 170may comprise an attraction mechanism, such as, for example, anelectromagnet, structured to be actuated by the time sequence moduleupon disposition of each of the propulsion members 172 from theoutwardly extended position into an at least partially inwardlyretracted position. Specifically, the disposition of each of thepropulsion members 172 into an at least partially inwardly retractedposition is indicative of the second component 22′ being disposed inproximity to the first component 16′ in predetermined alignedengagement, and the attraction mechanism is thus structured tofacilitate quick and easy connection of the components of the couplingassembly 16′ by imparting an attraction force between the components.

A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 29and includes an electromotive release mechanism 160 having an actuationmember 162 comprising a propulsion member 172′. In this embodiment, theelectromotive release mechanism 160, more specifically, the actuationmember 162, is structured to dispose the propulsion member 172′ betweena secured configuration and a separated configuration via disposition ofa distal portion 163 of the actuation member 162 between a displacementconfiguration and a non-displacement configuration, respectively. Asshown, the propulsion member 172′ is structured to extend through aportion of the first component 18′ and to contact an inner portion ofthe second component 22′, thereby exerting a separation force in adirection substantially normal to a propulsion interface 174′, asindicated by directional arrow 176′. The separation force is sufficientto cause the first component 18′ and the second component 22′ to detachfrom one another when each of the plurality of locking members 62′ isdisposed in the retracted orientation.

Further with regard to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises theactivation assembly 38. The activation assembly 38 is preferably,although not necessarily, integrated as part of a handle 40 structuredto facilitate holding of the leash assembly during use. The handle 40preferably includes a generally apertured construction 42 and furtherdefines gripping means 43 dimensioned and configured to facilitate theholding or gripping of the handle 40 by a single hand of a user of thesubject leash assembly. One feature of the present invention is theprovision of an activation member as at 44 generally in the form of aspring biased push button, which, due to the force exerted thereon by abiasing spring (not shown for purposes of clarity) is preferablynormally disposed in an outward position as shown. The activation member44 is connected directly to a correspondingly positioned end of therelease structure or release cable 24. The release cable 24, may beformed of a metallic material or other applicable materials. Regardlessof the structural embodiments, release cable 24 should be sufficientlyflexible to be rolled upon itself in a stored position or otherwiseoriented as generally shown in FIG. 5, but should have sufficientstructural integrity to be movable axially along its length, within theinterior of the lead 10 and relative thereto. Such axial movement may beaccomplished by a force exerted by the user of the subject assembly onthe activation member or push button 44 as indicated by directionalarrow 45.

With reference to FIG. 4, another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention comprises basic structural features similar to the embodimentof FIGS. 1 and with the exception that the lead 10′ has a somewhat flatstrap like configuration extending along its length. However, at least aportion of the lead 10′ defines a hollow interior along the entirelength thereof for the positioning and axial movement of the releasestructure or cable 24. Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, a sheathstructure 27 may be disposed within the lead 10′.

The activation assembly 38′ of the embodiment of FIG. 4 is associatedwith a handle structure 40′ having a somewhat different configurationthan that of the embodiment of FIG. 1. More specifically, the handle 40′comprises an open, central aperture construction 42′ having a grip 43′designed to facilitate gripping by one hand of the user of the subjectassembly. In this embodiment, however, the activation assembly 38′comprises an activation member 44′ in the form of a trigger type switchpositionable for operation by a single finger of the gripping hand ofthe user of the subject assembly. The activation member 44′ is normallybiased into its outermost position, as shown in FIG. 4, by any type ofbiasing spring or the like. However, depression or movement of theactivation member 44′ to an inner position serves to axially move therelease structure or cable 24. Such axial movement will exert an outwardaxial force on the plunger 60 which will serve to release the firstcomponent 18 of the coupling assembly 16 from the second component 22.Additional embodiments of the activation assembly are disclosed, such as80′ in FIG. 5, which is similar in structure and operation to activationassembly 80, as described hereinafter for the embodiment of FIG. 9.

An additional structural feature of the embodiment of FIG. 4 and inparticular the activation assembly 38′ is the inclusion of a lockstructure indicated as 50. The lock structure 50 may have any applicableor adequate structure secured to handle 40′ so as to prevent thedepression or inward travel of the activation member 44′. This willprevent the inadvertent detachment of the coupling assembly 16 andeliminate the possibility of accidently releasing or detaching theanimal from the lead 10′.

Yet another embodiment of the lead 10″ is illustrated in FIG. 4A.Specifically, as shown, the lead 10″ comprises a fixed compositeproximal portion 14″ interconnected to the handle 40″, and a pluralityof free distal ends 12″. Each of the plurality of free distal ends 12″further comprising a first component 18″ of a coupling assembly 16″structured to interconnect to a second component 22″ mounted on orattached to a different one of a plurality of collars, harnesses, orsimilar attachment assemblies 26, such that a single lead 10″ and handle40′ may be simultaneously attached to a plurality of animals. Further,in this embodiment, a selective activation member 44″ is employed suchthat the handler may select any one of the plurality of couplingassemblies 16″ to be released.

One other embodiment of the retractable leash assembly of the presentinvention is illustrated in FIG. 4B. As shown, this embodiment comprisesa housing 84′ which is structured to facilitate a plurality of leads10′. More in particular, the housing 84′ is structured to permit atleast a portion of each of the plurality of leads 10′ to pass through atleast a portion of the housing 84′. In addition, the housing 84′comprises an activation assembly 80′ which preferably includes a drivemechanism, as shown in phantom at 85′. Each of the plurality of leads10′ comprises a proximal portion 14′ disposed in an operativerelationship with the housing 84′, specifically, each proximal portion14′ is interconnected to at least a portion of the drive mechanism 85′.Each of the leads 10′ also comprises a distal end 12′ eachinterconnected to a different one of a plurality of first components 18′which are structured and disposed to engage a corresponding one of aplurality of second components 22′ (not shown) being mounted on orattached to a different one of a plurality of collars, harnesses, orsimilar attachment assemblies 26′ (not shown).

Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A, the embodiment of FIG.4B comprises a selective activation member 44′ structured such that thehandler may select any one of the plurality of first components 18′ tobe released from its corresponding second component 22′ (not shown) . Inaddition, the drive mechanism 85′ of the embodiment of FIG. 4B may befurther structured such that the portion of each of the plurality ofleads 10′ may be released from or retracted into the housing 84′ eitherindependently of one another, or simultaneously and in a uniform manner[i.e. substantially similar rates of release or retraction], once again,via the selective activation member 44′. Thus, the embodiment of theretractable leash assembly illustrated in FIG. 4B provides the handlerwith considerable versatility in handling a plurality of animals whichmay be attached thereto.

As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the retractable leash assembly may compriseseveral additional features such as a rechargeable power supply 81′being electrically interconnected to a recharge port 83′, the rechargeport 83′ preferably structured to accept a standard household powersource in order to recharge the rechargeable power supply 81′. In atleast one preferred embodiment, the rechargeable power supply 81′comprises a rechargeable battery pack.

Additionally, the embodiment of FIG. 4B illustrates the drive mechanism85′ further comprising a drive motor, shown in phantom at 88′, and avoice activated control module 110′ disposed in a communicativeassociation with the drive motor 88′. More in particular, suchcommunicative association is at least partially defined by the drivemotor 88′ operating to retract the portion of at least one of theplurality of leads 10′ into the housing 84′ or to release the portion ofthe lead 10′ from the housing 84′ upon delivery of a verbal command fromthe user to the voice activated control module 110′. In one preferredembodiment, the communicative association is further defined by thedrive motor 88′ operating to retract the portion of each of theplurality of leads 10′ into the housing 84′ or to release the portion ofeach of the plurality of the leads 10′ from the housing 84′ upondelivery of a verbal command from the user to the voice activatedcontrol module 110′, wherein the leads may be released and/or retractedeither independently or simultaneously in a uniform manner.

Yet one further embodiment of the retractable leash assembly maycomprise a housing 84′ constructed of a clear or otherwise lighttransmissive material and including an internal illumination source,such as one or more light emitting diodes 116′, which may be activatedunder low light conditions thus providing a safety advantage to thehandler, so that they may be seen by others, for example, automobiledrivers, while utilizing the device at night. This embodiment may alsocomprise one or more leads 10′ also being constructed of a clear orotherwise light transmissive material, such that the light emittingdiode(s) 116′ may also act to illuminate at least a portion of theleads(s) 10′ thereby providing an additional safety feature to thehandler, as well as to the animal attached thereto.

With regard to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment is disclosed wherein thesecond component indicated as 22″ is fixedly mounted on an exteriorsurface of the attachment assembly 26. The structural features of thesecond component 22″ are similar to that of the second component 22 ofFIG. 1 in that it is designed to removably receive the first component18 therein.

Additional preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown inFIGS. 9, 10 and 11, and relate to an activation assembly generallyindicated as 80 or 82, respectively. With regard to the embodiment ofFIG. 9, the activation assembly 80 includes a housing 84 having an atleast partially hollow interior for the mounting and enclosure of adrive mechanism 85 structured such that the proximal end of the lead 10may be connected to a portion thereof. In at least one embodiment, thedrive mechanism 85 comprises at least a storage or take-up spoolindicated in phantom lines as 86. The take-up spool 86 is rotationallymounted on the interior of the housing 84 and, more specifically, isoperated by the drive mechanism 85 which may further include a drivemotor, such as is schematically represented in phantom line as 88. Thedrive motor 88 is preferably electrically powered and is specificallystructured to be reversible so as to rotate the take-up spool 86 inopposite directions. The opposite directions of rotation of the drivemotor 88 serve to either retract or release the lead 10 thereby allowingcomplete control over a tethered animal attached to the distal or freeend of the lead 10. By virtue of the drive mechanism 85 comprising thedrive motor 88 and the take-up spool 86, a user or handler of thesubject leash assembly is allowed to avoid the disadvantages associatedwith spring driven, retraction structures of the type typically found inconventional retractable leash assemblies. The drive mechanism 85 mayalso utilize magnetic propulsion, as described above, to furtherfacilitate the release and/or retraction of the lead 10 by the drivemechanism 85.

In one preferred embodiment, the activation assembly 80 furthercomprises a release control mechanism structured to regulate the rate ofrelease of the lead 10 from the housing 84 of the activation assembly80, upon detection of a predetermined condition or control set point.More specifically, the release control mechanism is structured to eithersubstantially stop the release of the lead 10 from the housing 84, or toattenuate the rate of release of the lead 10. The predeterminedcondition or set point may include a particular velocity of release ofthe lead 10 from the housing 84, or a particular acceleration of therelease of the lead 10 from the housing 84. In at least one embodiment,the release control mechanism is structured to cooperatively associatewith the drive mechanism 85 to either substantially stop or attenuatethe release of the lead 10 from the housing 84. In order to facilitateattenuation of the release of the lead 10, the release control mechanismmay incorporate a computerized time delay program which allows thehandler to preselect a degree of attenuation for the rate of release ofthe lead 10 from the housing 84 as appropriate, based upon the size ofthe animal being controlled with the leash assembly. Additionally, thecomputer program is also structured to control the velocity of the drivemotor 88, in accordance with the preselected degree of attenuation, upondetection of the predetermined condition.

Further with regard to the embodiment of FIG. 9 the housing 84 includesa handle structure generally indicated as 89 which may be dimensionedand configured to have a hollow interior so as to house an electricalpower supply used to energize at least the drive motor 88. Such anelectrical power supply of course may be in the form of a rechargeabledirect current battery pack, or another type of rechargeable powersupply such as, by way of example, a solar power supply having storagecapabilities, structured to supply sufficient power to operate the drivemotor 88. The housing 84′ may also include a recharge port as at 83′ topermit interconnection of the rechargeable direct current battery packto a source of power, such as via a standard household current powersource, as shown in FIG. 4B. It should also be noted that the overallconfiguration of the housing 84 could be such as to include an aperturedconfiguration as at 96 which along with the dimension and configurationof the battery casing segment of the handle structure 89 may form ahandle or grip to facilitate carrying or manipulation of the activationassembly 80.

The activation assembly 80 or 82 further comprises a switching assembly,generally indicated as 90, wherein one or more switches as at 92 may beused to operate the drive motor 88 or 88′ and an additional one or twoswitches as at 94 are used to axially move the aforementioned releasecable 24 so as to cause the release of components 18 and 22 of thecoupling assembly 16. Alternatively, the activation assembly 80 or 82may incorporate a voice activated control module 110 including an audioreceiver 112 disposed in a communicative relationship with an integratedcomputerized circuit board 114 which controls the operation of the drivemotor 88 or 88′, thereby controlling either the retraction or releasethe lead 10, based upon a verbal command from the handler to the voiceactivated control module 110, via the audio receiver 112. In addition,the voice activated control module 110 may also be utilized to controlthe release cable 24 or other release mechanism upon verbal command ofthe handler. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, thecoupling assembly 16 or 28 may comprise a voice activated control module110, wherein the coupling assembly 16 or 28 is structured to release thefirst component 18 or 29 from the second component 22 or 30,respectively, based upon a verbal command from the handler to the audioreceiver 112.

In at least one embodiment, the voice activated control module 110further comprises an audio transmitter, for example, an audio speaker incombination with the audio receiver 112, such that the handler mayremotely convey verbal or other audible signals to the animal or animalsbeing restrained by the leash assembly. The audio transmitter may bemounted to the activation assembly 80 or 82, or, in at least oneembodiment, the audio transmitter may be mounted directly to thecoupling assembly 16. Additionally, the verbal or other audible signalmay be preprogrammed such that the handler may convey the desired verbalor other audible signal to the animal by merely selecting the desiredpreprogrammed command, such as, via a keypad located on the activationassembly 80 or 82, or on a remote transmitter structured to communicatewith the voice activated module 110.

With regard to the additional preferred embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11,the activation assembly 82 comprises a housing as at 100 having asubstantially hollow interior configuration for the mounting of a drivemotor 88′ and a storage or take-up spool generally indicated as 102. Thetake-up spool 102 may have a spiral configuration which stores the lead10 about the length of the take-up spool 102 wherein a cushioning springas at 104 is provided to cushion the movement of the lead 10 into andout of the housing 100. Again, the drive motor 88′ is structured to bereversible so as to selectively accomplish both retraction and releaseof the lead 10 relative to the take-up spool 102. A switching assemblygenerally indicated as at 90 is also mounted on the housing 100operatively associated with the drive motor 88′ and to the releasestructure in the form of release cable 24 as explained above. Asindicated above with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 9, the drivemotor 88′ may incorporate the voice activated control module 110 tocontrol the drive motor 88′ to retract or release the lead 10 and/or tocontrol the release cable 24 or other release mechanism, based upon theparticular verbal command from the handler. A separable casing segment105 may be provided to enclose and secure a rechargeable batterytherein, wherein the entire casing 105 and the battery mounted on theinterior thereof may be removed from the remainder of the housing 100for purposes of recharging or replacing.

Of course, however, in either of the embodiments comprising a drivemechanism 85, the drive motor 88 or 88′ may be configured to onlymanipulate the release cable 24, with the lead 10 itself being either ofa fixed length or retractable. For example, in an embodiment with a longlead 10 or wherein the lead 10 is substantially wound in a storedorientation, a greater force may be required to actuate the releasecable 24. As such, the drive motor could be used solely for the releasecable 24. Additionally, whether the drive motor 88 provides for poweredmovement of the lead 10 and/or the release cable 24, a one way drivemotor could also be effectively employed so long as an automatically oraffirmatively releasing engagement with the retracted lead 10 isachieved. For example, if the lead 10 is retracted by the drive motor 88or 88′ a similar release as to that which is normally provided torelease an inward spring bias can be employed to allow the lead 10 to bereleased without causing or requiring a reversal of the drive motor 88or 88′. Also, as to the release cable 24, only a momentary axial forceapplied to the release cable 24 is required to release the firstcomponent 18 from the second component 22. As such, the drive motor 88or 88′ could be configured to pull on the release cable 24 a limitedamount of time, after which it may automatically back out after which anormal bias on the release cable 24 can cause a clutch type release.

Another embodiment of the activation assembly 80 or 82 may include theelectrical power supply operatively associated with the electromagnet ofthe alternative embodiment of the release structure 24 presented above.The activation assembly 80 or 82 operates by providing sufficientelectrical current to the electromagnet to reverse its polarity suchthat it exhibits either attractive or repulsive magnetic forces relativeto the locking members 62. The attractive or repulsive magnetic forcesmay cause the locking members 62 to be repositioned from their normallybiased outwardly extending locking orientation into their retractedorientation, thereby permitting the first and second components 18′ and22′ to be easily released from one another. Alternatively, theattractive or repulsive magnetic forces may cause the locking members 62to be repositioned from their retracted orientation into their normallybiased outwardly extending locking orientation, thereby securing thefirst and second components 18′ and 22′ to one another.

In yet another embodiment, the locking members 62 may comprise a shapememory alloy structured to deform from a normally biased outwardlyextending locking orientation to a retracted orientation, uponapplication of an electrical current, thereby permitting the first andsecond components 18′ and 22′ to be easily released from one another.Alternatively, the release cable 24 or other release structure maycomprise a shape memory alloy structured to deform, once again, uponapplication of an electrical current, thereby causing the lockingmembers 62 to be repositioned from a normally biased outwardly extendinglocking orientation to a retracted orientation, thus allowing the firstand second components 18′ and 22′ to be released from one another.

As previously described, the switching assembly 90 may be employed toactivate the electrical current to the electromagnet when quick and easyrelease of the first and second components 18′ and 22′ is desired. In atleast one embodiment of the present invention, the switching assembly 90comprises part of an electrical circuit which directly applies theelectrical current to the electromagnet, while in at least one otherembodiment, the switching assembly 90 utilizes a fiber optic circuitwhich indirectly causes the electrical current to be applied to theelectromagnet. The switching assembly 90 may further be structured so asto permit the handler to transmit a small electrical impulse to theattachment assembly 26 worn by the animal, thereby directing a smallelectrical shock, vibration, or other electrical stimulation to theanimal, such as have been proven to be an effective training tool. In apreferred embodiment, the handler can selectively adjust the magnitudeof the electrical impulse to suit the size and temperament of the animalbeing trained.

Each of the embodiments of the activation assembly 80 or 82 comprisingthe drive mechanism 85 as presented herein may additionally comprise aradio or other remote signal receiver structured to activate ordeactivate the drive mechanism 85 and/or the release cable 24 or otherrelease mechanism from a remote location via a radio transmitter. Inthis embodiment, a receiver may be operatively connected to theactivation assembly 80 or 82, which is structured to receivepredetermined signal(s) from a remotely located radio transmitter, orother remote signal transmitter. Once the transmitted signal isreceived, the receiver triggers the switch assembly 90 such that theactivation assembly 80 or 82 causes the drive motor 88 or 88′ to operateand retract or release the lead 10, and/or such as to cause the releasestructure 24 to release the first and second components 18′ and 22′ fromone another.

One other embodiment of the activation assembly 80 of the presentinvention comprises a lead aligning mechanism, generally shown as 120 inFIGS. 12 through 17. The lead aligning mechanism 120 is structured tomaintain the lead 10 in an aligned position relative to the housing 84of the activation assembly 80 as the lead 10 is retracted into orreleased from the housing 84. More specifically, the aligned position isat least partially defined when the lead 10 is positioned relative tothe housing 84 so as to minimize the potential for binding or otherrestriction of movement of the lead 10 either into or from the housing84, such as, for example, when the lead 10 forms an angle ofapproximately ninety (90) degrees with the housing at its point ofentry. The minimization of binding or other restriction of the lead 10into and out of the housing provides the handler with greater controlover the animal being restrained by the leash assembly.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 through 16, the leadaligning mechanism 120 is movable along at least a portion of thehousing 84 in an arcuate path about a central axis 87, and in at leastone embodiment, the lead aligning mechanism 120 comprises a moveablegrip member 130. Specifically, the movable grip member 130 is structuredand disposed to moveably engage a grip member track, such as, by way ofexample only, an external grip member track 132, as illustrated in FIGS.12 through 14. In another embodiment, the grip member track may comprisean internal grip member track 133, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16.The degree of movement of the moveable grip member 130 is limited bygrip member track stops 135, positioned at each end of the grip membertrack 132 or 133, when either end of the moveable grip member 136contacts either grip member track stop 135. It is understood that as thedistance between the animal and the handler holding the activationassembly 80 increases and decreases, the angle formed between the leadand the activation assembly 80 also increases and decreases,respectively. However, by virtue of the lead aligning mechanism 120being moveable, and more specifically, the moveable grip member 130being rotatable along at least a portion of the housing 84 about thecentral axis 87, it is also understood that the lead 10 is maintained ina substantially normal orientation relative to the housing 84. Thus, thelead aligning mechanism 120 minimizes the potential for binding or otherrestriction of movement of the lead 10 into or from the housing 84,without requiring the handler to adjust or reposition of the housing 84of the activation assembly 80 relative to the lead 10.

Another embodiment of the lead aligning mechanism 120 is illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18. In this embodiment, the lead aligning mechanism 120comprises a movable slide member 140, which is also structured to bemovable along at least a portion of the housing 84 of the activationassembly 80 along an arcuate path about the central axis 87. Asillustrated in the figures, the movable slide member 140 comprises aslide slot 142 structured to permit at least a portion of lead 10 topass therethrough into and out of the housing 84 of the activationassembly 80. The lead aligning mechanism 120, in this embodiment,comprises a slide member track 144 which may be mounted along anexterior portion of the housing 84, as illustrated in FIG. 17. However,it is understood that the slide member track 144 could be disposed alongthe interior of the housing 84 in a similar manner as the internal gripmember track 133, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. Further, in thisembodiment, the housing 84 comprises a lead receiving channel 146 whichis positioned substantially along the path of the slide member track144, the lead receiving channel 146 being wide enough to permit the lead10 to freely pass therethrough into the housing 84 regardless of theposition of the moveable slide member 140 along the slide member track144. Each end 147 of the lead receiving channel 146 may serve to limitthe degree of movement of the moveable slide member 140 along the pathof the slide member track 144, similar to the grip member track stops135, or alternatively, one or more slide member track stops 148 may beemployed.

In yet another embodiment, the lead aligning mechanism 120 may comprisea guide member 150, as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. The guide member150, as shown, comprises a generally spherical configuration and isstructured to be moveably secured within a guide seat 152, which ispreferably disposed about a circumference of the guide member 150 andconnected to the housing 84 of the activation assembly 80. Inparticular, the guide member 150 is structured to rotate freely about aguide axis 154 in any direction or path, as illustrated by thedirectional arrows in FIG. 20, over a surface comprising substantially ahemisphere of the guide member 150 which is extending outwardly from thehousing 84. The guide member 150 comprises a guide channel 156 disposedsubstantially along the guide axis 154 and structured to permit the lead10 to pass therethrough into and out of the housing 84. It is understoodfrom the figures that the lead aligning mechanism 120 comprising theguide member 150 provides the greatest range of lead alignment by virtueof the fact that the guide member 150 is structured to permit the lead10 to move from side to side as well as up and down relative to thehousing 84 of the activation assembly 80.

In the embodiment of the activation assembly 80 illustrated in FIG. 22,the portion of the housing 84 to which the guide member 150 is connectedcomprises a wide configuration to facilitate a larger directional rangeof movement of the lead 10, for example, from side to side and up anddown relative to the housing 84.

FIG. 23 illustrates yet another embodiment of the activation assembly 80wherein the housing 84 comprises a generally spherical configuration. Inthis embodiment, the take-up spool 86 is structured such that the lead10 also comprises a substantially spherical configuration within thehousing 84, as it is wound onto the take-up spool 86.

Yet another embodiment of an activation assembly 80 is illustrated inFIG. 24. In particular, the embodiment of FIG. 24 illustrates theactivation assembly comprising a composite lead aligning mechanism 120′.As shown in the figure, the composite lead aligning mechanism 120′comprises a moveable grip member 130, similar to the embodiment of FIGS.15 and 16, and a guide member 150, as illustrated in FIGS. 19, 20, 22,and 23. The composite lead aligning mechanism 120′ allows the lead tomove freely in both arcuate and rotational directions relative to thehousing 84 of the activation assembly 80.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be madeto the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intendedthat all matters in the foregoing description and shown in theaccompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined bythe appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Now that the invention has been described,

1. A quick release coupling assembly structured to allow quickconnection and quick release, said coupling assembly comprising: a firstcomponent and a second component cooperatively structured to assume anattached orientation, said first component comprising at least onelocking member movably mounted thereon, said at least one locking membernormally disposed in an outwardly extending locking orientation, anelectromotive release mechanism structured such that said firstcomponent and said second component are detached from one another uponactuation of said electromotive release mechanism, said electromotiverelease mechanism disposed in an operative association with said atleast one locking member, said operative association being at leastpartially defined by said electromotive release mechanism beingstructured to normally dispose said at least one locking member intosaid outwardly extending locking orientation, said electromotive releasemechanism comprises an actuation member, said actuation member disposedin operative association with said at least one locking member, saidactuation member comprises a distal portion structured to facilitatedisposition of said at least one locking member between said outwardlyextending locking orientation and a retracted orientation, said distalportion comprising a propulsion member being disposable between asecured configuration and a separation configuration, and saidpropulsion member structured to exert a separation force sufficient tocause said first component and said second component to detach from oneanother when disposed in said separation configuration.
 2. An assemblyas recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one locking member is atleast temporarily disposable into a retracted orientation.
 3. Anassembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said operative association isfurther defined by said electromotive release mechanism being structuredto at least temporarily dispose said at least one locking member intosaid retracted orientation upon actuation.
 4. An assembly as recited inclaim 1 wherein said first component comprises a plurality of lockingmembers movably mounted thereon, said electromotive release mechanismbeing structured to normally dispose each of said plurality of lockingmembers into said outwardly extending locking orientation.
 5. Anassembly as recited in claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of lockingmembers is at least temporarily disposable into a retracted orientation.6. An assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein said electromotive releasemechanism is further structured to at least temporarily dispose each ofsaid plurality of locking members into said retracted orientation uponactuation.
 7. A quick release coupling assembly structured to allowquick connection and quick release, said coupling assembly comprising: afirst component and a second component cooperatively structured toassume an attached orientation, said first component comprising at leastone locking member movably mounted thereon, said at least one lockingmember normally disposed in an outwardly extending locking orientation,an electromotive release mechanism structured such that said firstcomponent and said second component are detached from one another uponactuation of said electromotive release mechanism, said electromotiverelease mechanism comprises an actuation member, said actuation memberdisposed in operative association with said at least one locking member,said actuation member comprising a propulsion member disposable betweena secured configuration and a separation configuration, and saidpropulsion member structured to exert a separation force sufficient tocause said first component and said second component to detach from oneanother when disposed in said separation configuration.
 8. An assemblyas recited in claim 7 wherein said propulsion member is disposed intoseparation configuration upon actuation of said electromotive releasemechanism.
 9. An assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said operativeassociation is at least partially defined by said electromotive releasemechanism being structured to normally dispose said locking member intosaid outwardly extending locking orientation.